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Drg Coder Jobs in Tyler, TX (NOW HIRING)

Drg Coder information

See Tyler, TX salary details

$14

$25

$41

How much do drg coder jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average hourly pay for drg coder in Tyler, TX is $25.91, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.88 and $32.60 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a DRG coder?

DRG coders are medical coding professionals who assign Diagnosis-Related Group (DRG) codes to inpatient hospital records. These codes are used to classify hospital cases into groups for the purpose of reimbursement, billing, and data analysis. DRG coders analyze clinical documentation and translate diagnoses, procedures, and patient information into standardized codes according to official guidelines. Their work ensures hospitals receive proper payment from insurance providers and government programs. Accuracy and compliance with regulations are critical in this role.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a DRG coder, and why are they important?

To thrive as a DRG Coder, you need a strong understanding of medical coding, anatomy, and disease processes, often supported by a coding certification such as CCS, RHIT, or CPC. Familiarity with coding systems like ICD-10-CM/PCS, encoder software, and hospital information systems is essential. Attention to detail, critical thinking, and effective communication are important soft skills for ensuring coding accuracy and collaborating with clinical staff. These skills and qualifications are crucial for accurate reimbursement, regulatory compliance, and supporting overall healthcare data quality.

What are some common challenges faced by DRG coders in accurately assigning codes, and how can they overcome these challenges?

DRG Coders often face challenges such as incomplete or ambiguous clinical documentation, rapidly changing coding guidelines, and the pressure to meet productivity standards while ensuring accuracy. To overcome these obstacles, coders should actively collaborate with physicians for clarifications, participate in ongoing education to stay current with coding updates, and utilize internal audit feedback to continuously improve their skills. Building strong communication channels with clinical and billing teams also helps in resolving discrepancies efficiently.

What is the difference between Drg Coder vs Medical Coder?

AspectDrg CoderMedical Coder
CertificationsAHIMA or AAPC certifications, specialized in DRG assignmentCertified Professional Coder (CPC), general coding certifications
Work EnvironmentHospitals, inpatient facilities, focusing on inpatient codingClinics, outpatient facilities, focusing on outpatient coding
Job FocusAssigning Diagnosis-Related Groups (DRGs) for inpatient billingConverting medical records into standardized codes for billing and documentation

While both Drg Coders and Medical Coders handle medical coding, Drg Coders specialize in inpatient coding and DRG assignment, often requiring specific certifications and experience with hospital billing. Medical Coders have a broader scope, working in outpatient settings with different coding systems. Understanding these differences helps in choosing the right career path or job focus.

Are Drg coders still in demand?

DRG coders, also known as diagnosis-related group coders, are in steady demand due to the ongoing need for accurate medical coding in healthcare reimbursement. The role requires knowledge of coding systems like ICD and CPT, and demand is expected to remain stable as healthcare providers and insurers prioritize precise coding for billing and compliance.

What cities near Tyler, TX are hiring for Drg Coder jobs?

Cities near Tyler, TX with the most Drg Coder job openings:

Infographic showing various Drg Coder job openings in Tyler, TX as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 67% Full Time, and 33% Contract. Highlights an 50% In-person, and 50% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $53,884 per year, or $25.9 per hour.

Health Information Management Coder Lead - Coding

CHRISTUS Health

Tyler, TX • On-site

Other

Posted 16 days ago


CHRISTUS Health rating

6.7

Company rating: 6.7 out of 10

Based on 531 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

531st of 887 rated healthcare providers


Job description

Health Information Management Coder Lead

Location: US:TX:Tyler | Medical Coding | Full Time

Description:

Selected by CHRISTUS Health Coding Leadership, to focus coding skills and expertise to foster an environment of teamwork and service excellence mentoring, training, cross training their designated Regional Inpatient or Outpatient Coding team. Coding Lead will work with Coders as a resource to maintain current and high-quality ICD-10-CM, ICD-10-PCS and/or CPT coding for the Inpatient and/or Outpatient diagnoses and procedural occurrences, through the review of clinical documentation and diagnostic results, with a consistent coding accuracy rate of 95% or better. Coding Leads will work to ensure Coders abstract data into any and all appropriate CHRISTUS Health electronic medical record systems, verifying accurate patient dispositions and physician data, following the Official ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS Guidelines for Coding and Reporting and AMA CPT Guidelines. Coding Lead will act as a liaison for coding related questions, providing clear and concise written or verbal responses, citing official coding guidelines and Coding Clinics.

Coding Lead will work to resolve error reports associated with the billing process, identify and report error patterns, and, when necessary, assist in performance improvement activities with other team associates.

Coding Lead will work collaboratively with various CHRISTUS Health departments, including but not limited to HIM and Clinical Documentation Specialists, to ensure accurate and complete physician documentation to support accurate billing and reduce denials. Coder will also assist in other areas of the department, as requested by leadership. Coding Lead will report directly to their Regional Coding Manager, with additional leadership from the Director of Coding Operations and System HIM Director.

Responsibilities:

  • Meets expectations of the applicable OneCHRISTUS Competencies: Leader of Self, Leader of Others, or Leader of Leaders.
  • Abide by standardized, organization-wide policies and procedures to monitor the success and quality of coding.
  • Able to role model industry best practices for use of technology; job shadow and coach associates in appropriate coding workflows.
  • Will review internal and external audit results, to identify global and individual areas for improvement.
  • Able to perform remediation audits, computing audit template using Excel to calculate coding accuracy.
  • Coach coding associates based on internal and external audit results, or based upon coding needs.
  • Actively collaborate with Unbilled Analysts to complete billing workflow changes to reduce billing errors.
  • Manage and work billing reports, such as Connance, to provide timely corrections to accounts in questions, ensuring billing is not impacted.
  • Assists in implementing new systems and/or processes, to improve back-end billing errors.
  • Acts as coding liaison, proving expertise in coding, charging, DRG assignments, APC assignments, modifier application, special projects and denials.
  • Analyzes audit results to identify areas of opportunity.
  • Assign codes for diagnoses, treatments and procedures according to the ICD-10-CM/PCS Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting through review of coding critical documentation, to generate appropriate MS/APR DRG.
  • Abstracts required information from source documentation, to be entered into appropriate CHRISTUS Health electronic medical record system.
  • Validates admit orders and discharge dispositions.
  • Works from assigned coding queue, completing and re-assigning accounts correctly.
  • Manages accounts on ABS Hold or through Epic WQs using account activities, finalizing accounts when corrections have been made, in a timely manner.
  • Meets or exceeds an accuracy rate of 95%.
  • Meets or exceeds the designated CHRISTUS Health Productivity standard per chart type.
  • Abides by the Standards of Ethical Coding as set forth by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).
  • Assists in implementing solutions to reduce backend errors.
  • Identifies and appropriately reports all hospital-acquired conditions (HAC).
  • Expertly queries providers for missing or unclear documentation, by working with the HIM department and Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialists.
  • Participates in both internal and external audit discussions.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills.
  • Able to work independently in a remote setting, with little supervision.
  • Strong understanding of departmental systems technology (i.e. Microsoft Office, EHR, Encoder, Teams, etc.)
  • All other work duties as assigned by the Manager.

Job Requirements:

Education/Skills

  • High school Diploma or equivalent years of experience required.
  • Completion of Accredited Baccalaureate Health Informatics or Health Information Management or an AHIMA approved Coding Certificate Program preferred.

Experience

  • 5 years of Inpatient and/or Outpatient coding experience in an acute care setting preferred.

Licenses, Registrations, or Certifications

  • Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) (AHIMA) preferred.
  • Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) (AHIMA) preferred.
  • Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) (AHIMA) preferred.
  • Certified Professional Coder (CPC) (AAPC) preferred.

Work Schedule: 5 Days - 8 Hours

Work Type: Full Time


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About CHRISTUS Health

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

CHRISTUS Health is a prominent name in the healthcare industry, with its headquarters situated in Irving, TX, USA. Established in 1999, the company has since been devoted to providing comprehensive care and extending the healing ministry of Jesus Christ. This not-for-profit health system primarily operates more than 600 healthcare services and programs, including long-term care facilities, health insurance products, community clinics, and outreach services, serving both urban and rural populations.

Industry

Outpatient health care

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Irving, TX, US

Year founded

1999